Browsing: Dangerous substances | Page 83

A worker caught using his mobile phone while unloading fuel from a tanker has failed to convince the Fair Work Commission that his misconduct was merely a "30-second error of judgement" caused by fatigue and the stress of being bullied.

Epidemiologist Professor Tim Driscoll has outlined the major current and emerging workplace health and safety issues for Australia and other Oceanian nations, in an Oxford University journal.

All workplace participants - from designers and customs brokers to workers - need to be aware of their WHS responsibilities relating to imported products, according to the CEO of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.

• Proposed quad bans and restrictions extended after latest fatality;
  
• Synthetic cannabinoid ban announced in Victoria; and
  
• Greater work flexibility urged for Women's Day.

• High fines for infection-control breaches coming to Qld;
  
• Employers urged to get free WHS advice in SA; and
  
• Comcare supports anti-bullying day, releases major stats report.

• WHS confined space rules clarified by regulator;
  
• NSW targets service stations with low WHS knowledge; and
  
• WA DMP upgrading hygiene sampling system.

• Anti-bullying jurisdiction commences in Qld; and
  
• Dangerous goods amendments postponed in WA.

Two recent UK prosecutions have shown that repeated injury reports can alert regulators to safety breaches and lead to hefty fines.

• ABCC promises Code-compliance assessments;
  
• Dangerous goods laws amended in Vic and Tas;
  
• NSW abolishes safety regulator; and
  
• Anti-violence strategies introduced in ACT and Vic.

In a world first, researchers have found a link between occupational exposure to biocides, commonly found in widely-used disinfectants and cleaning chemicals, and thyroid cancer.